Wasp activity query

[ladylouise62]

The BBC gardening board I visit has come up wit this question. It's an interesting bit of activity - anyone know much about wasps?

"We have had wasps nesting all summer in a pile of turves which have been left to rot down to form loam. They have been a godsend as we have had no aphids or other pests on the crops. However, we have now observed many of the remaining wasps carrying white grubs or pupae out of the nest opening, and travelling on foot about two or three metres then depositing them on the ground. I can't find anything to explain this. What are they up to?"

[rolf]

I have no idea why they would do that, can't find any mention of it anywhere. They could of course be clearing the nest for the Queens to hibernate.

[Chocky]

The Paper wasp will chew up wood to build it's nest which is like a honeycomb and then it fill the chambers up with eggs some what similar to a bee but of course they don't make honey just wreck you beams if they get in the atic

[ladylouise62]

I have paper wasps in my shed every year. I admire their building abilities. I don't like wasps because I am always afraid that I might be dangerously allergic (never been stung, but am just a worrier!), but I don't like killing stuff if I don't have to... so I leave them alone and look at their nests in the winter

[Chocky]

That's nice . I find them fascinating too and would never kill them. just keep them out once the new wasps have flown
But where are they getting the wood from to build their nests ?

[ladylouise62]

... my shed !

[Chocky]

Yes. I would once they have all flown smoke them out with some thing and then keep them out with some thing horridabley smelly